Thermostatic valve.



N. S. HARTER.

THERMOSTATIQVALVEK APPLICATION FILED FEB. 9. I914.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

f surface of moan s. nan'rnr, or w auirnean, rumors, assreivroa, er nnsim ASSIGNMENTS, To THE FULTON comramv, OFKHOXVILLE-TENNESSEE, a coaronaaton or MAINE.

TnnairosTATIc vaLvn;

teac es;

I ratent alnar. at, Tera ApplicationfliedlFepruairy9,1914i. Se1'1alNo.817,636.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NOAH S. HARTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Waukegan, in the county of Lake and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thermostatic Valves,

of which the followingv is a specification.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an automatic, thermostatic valve, controllable. by the expansive efi'ect of a fluid confined Within a suitable receptacle, from which substantially all of the air has been removed, whereby to utilize the sensitive expansibility of a fluid to move a valve part when said fluid is under less than at{ mospheric pressure.

Another object of my invention is to provide, in a device of this character, a valve moving part, movable by the effect of outside pressure in one direction, to open the valve, and movable in another direction by the expansion of a medium normally under less than atmospheric pressure, to close the valve And'another object of my invention is to provide means whereby the valve is auto matically closed in the eventof a leak of the liquid, or gas evolved therefrom, from said receptacle.

, will become readily, apparent to persons skilled in the art from aflconsideration of the fellowin description when taken "in connection with the'drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is an elevatlon of a coffee urn showing my thermostatic gas valve applied thereto; 1 v

Fig. 2 isa central'verticalgsection of the thermostatic valve.

Fig. 3 is a section taken pn line 3-3 of Figmi is a section of a modification corrsistin'g of a housing for inclosingthe heat responsive, thermostatic device to protect ;it against extraneous influences, and means for";

and the chamber 8, the me 19 and the re- 100 holding the' same in contact with-the outer is to be E Y .5116 gas or other fluid trolled by saidvalve. ,7.

In all the views thewmere ferflauce chart acters are employed to indicate similar parts.

' Referring specifically to the valveyand its piode of operation, a two part casi n 5 having a removable cover 6 contains a (Tia- Other and further objects of my invention the coffee urn or like device that phragm or resilient wall 7 which divides the, casing into chambers 8 and 9. I The casing contains another chamber 10, surrounded by a valve seatll, which is adapted to be closed by. the diaphragm 7. A gas inlet pipe 12 communicates with the chamber 10, and an outlet. pipe 13 c0mmu-i nicates with the chamber 9. -A assage way %)4 cpgnects the pipe 12 with the inner cham- 7 A downturned flange 15 provides a means for securing the valve to a supporting structure 16 as by means of screws 17 The pipe 13, conveying gas, projects itinto a gas burner 18, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2., T Secured substantially in the center of the cover 6 is a pipe 19 containing an expansible 'fluid 20. The pipe terminates in a receptacle 22. The receptacle 22 may be substantially eircular and slightly concave to '75 fit against the rounded surface of the vessel to which it may be applied, as shown in Fig. 1, and it may have ears 2323 to which a wire, or the like, 24 maybe attached to-hold it in intimate contact with said vessel, or other means may be employed for this purpose, as shown in the modification of Fig. &, which is to be hereinafter described.

The diaphragm 7 is secured to an annular ledge or washer 26 in the chamber 8, above the diaphragm, as by solder'or the like, 27, and in its normal, unrestrained position, as when all of the partsoccupyithe same horizontal plane under equalizedpressure, it will neatly overlie the portfI- ljof the chamber 10,

and close the port against passage of gas from pipe 12 to pipe 13. The diaphragm 7 18 shown slightly curved-upward, in Fig. 2, that is to say it is press'edmpwardly' toward the upper portion ofthe cover 6, andthisis ceptacle 22 have been. I lied with the heat-Q responsive, expansible material 20 (the) pin 28 havlng been-removed from the receptacle 22,) the, cover with its. attached parts is p placed in asuitable liquid such as water and '1-05 the, liquidfis heated up to a-high temperature, say to the boiling pemtgivhereby some of the conten ts -20of the' chamber 8, the pipe 19 leaving the port connectingcha'mbers 9 and '10 open, between the seat 11 and the dia- 16 phragm 7 so that gas may now freely pass from the pipe 12 throu h the pipe 13 into the burner 18. The di erence'in the pressure on the diaphragm 7, between the outside atmospheric pressure or the pressure to which the gas is subjected and'the pressure within the containers of the expansible fluid 20, serves to hold the diaphragm deformed inits strained or inwardly curved'position against the resiliencyof said diaphragm or other elastic force inherent in said vemel. 5N ow if the fluid be heated to a temperature higher than normal, it will expand and v thereby force the diaphragm 7 outwardly tendin to close the port 11 against the action 0 the outside pressure, and the extent to which the port will be closed. will depend .entirely upon the degree to which the con-r tents 20 has been heated above normal temperature. Therefore the quantity. of gas that will pass through the thermostatic valve will be determined bv'the temperature to which the contents of said vessel has been heated. 1 J V Y The position of the diaphragm 7, with 40 reference to the valve seat 11, is determined by the relative pressures exerted upon'the two, sides of the diaphragm, e. by the outside pressure on the one side and the pressure exerted "by the expansion of the fluid on the other side.

Now if the receptacle'22, be placed in a position where it may be heated by the gas that is admitted into the burner 18, and con-" trolled by the valve, a rise oftemperature.

o f'the heat responsive fluid20 within the receptacle 22, as a result of the varying temperature, will serve to regulate the amount of gas that will flow into the burner, to produce'theheat,

I When the receptacle is placed upon the outside .of the coflfee; urn, such as shown in fFlgsl, and when 1t 1s held in intimate c'ontact therewith, as by a binding wire 24,

it will receiveheat-from' the contents of the um, and W111 operate to govern-the quantity"- of gas that flows into the burner that heating coflee, or the like.

Natural draftsof air,

66 near the receptacle =22 serve, ag exsure, andthe diaphragm 7 is thereby sub- 'the resilient effect of the'diaphragm itsel gas in case of derarilgement, and ehminating however, passing .for the passage of the pipe 19 therethrough, and inclose the receptacle 22 within said casing. A spring '31 is securedto one side, wall of the casingfor the purpose of pressing the receptacle 22 into intimate. contact with the outer surface of the coffee um. 3

To hold the casing in proper contact with the outside of the urn I perforate the walls 3030, as at 33, and ass a wire, or ribbon 24, through said per orations, and on the inside of the casing I attacha spring 35 to .each'end of the wire, or ribbon, as an elastic means for holding the wireor. ribbon taut, for pressing the casing into intimate contact with the outer surface of the coffee urn. Between the side walls 3030 I place a cover or' cover plate 36, upon which the name I of the device and of the manufacturer may be engraved or embossed. B this means I surround the, receptacle 22 wlth a considerable airspace, on each of its exposed sides, so as to practically insulatethe receptacle from extraneous influences.

It is of course manifest that the heat sensi- -tive device. may be placed in other environments than that shown in Figs. 1 and 4, but I prefer under all conditions of use to have it influenced by the heat evolved from the gas that passes through the valve which the device controls.

Should the pipe 19, the receptacle 22 or the casing 5, above the diaphragm, leak at any place, at any time, so that the contents thereof loses its less-than-atmospheric pressure and becomes subjected to atmospheric presjected interior-1y to atmospheric pressure, the diaphragm will, under such conditions, return to its'normal horizontal'position, in which-plane the valve seat 11 is located, b

since the internal pressure "on said 'dia phragm is less than the external pressure thereon substantially throughout. the range of movement of said diaphragm. Thereby the valve is closed,-preventing as from passing through the thermostatic device into the burner- 18, automatically shuttin oil the the danger that wo d-otherwise result from air-unlimited supply of gas to. the burner 12'5 y .when not subjectto control of my .thermo-j be placed under the urn for thepurpose f v static device. f

By subjecting one side of the diaphragm to Iess-than-atmospheric pressurev and the other side to atmospheric pressure or the 130 a pressure of the gas I attain a: very sensitive mechanism, and introduce a safe naaontf,

and positively operating valve-controlling element into the device which wilt invariab y operate to shut off the gas in the event of a leak of the vessel cont ining the heat responsive fluid. 1

-Obviously a spring, interiorly or exteriorly of'said vessel, tending to move the diaphragm-toward safety position, may be substituted for the elasticity of a resilient wall. a

Having described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device few-automatically control- .ling the flowv of a 'inedium through a conduit, a thermostatic vessel havingia movable wall adapted "to-.be' flexed against an elastic force'inherent-in said vessel, a thermo sensitiye' fluid sealed in said vessel andexerting' an internalpressureon the movable wall bev low the opposing pressure of the external medium on said wall, the said movable wall bearing such relation to said conduit as to control the flow of the medium therethrough upon rise or fall of temperature and to edect therein a predetermined condition of safety upon the occurrence of aleak in said thermostaticivessel. 2. In a device for automatically controlling the flow of a medium through a conduit, the combination of a valve mechanism con-- trolling said conduit, one position of which is a position of safety, and an expansible and collapsible vessel collapsible agalnst an elastic force inherent in said vessel and having a 'thermosensitive fluid, sealed therein, said t ll . position ofsafety upon the occurrence ofafiuid exerting an internal pressure below the opposingpressureof the external medium acting on said vessel,,said vessel being opera tively related to said valve mechanism to move the'la-tter toward its position ofsafety upon the expansion of the vesselywhereliy the valyek nechanism will be-operated by a rise" or* falhofltemperature and moved to -a leak insaid thermostatic vessel." 7 .3. In a device for controlling the flow of a medium througha conduit, a valve mechanism, one position of whichris-a' position of safety, a thermostatic vessel operatively related to said valve mechanism and having a resilient wall, and a th rinosensiti ve fl sealed insaid'ves'sl and e ertin' amintem pressure on St1d:l,8$ll18 t ,wa lbelow th heating influenc equalization, of the pressures on said 've anism and having a resilient wall, and a thermosensitive fluid. sealed in said vessel under'a pressure below that of the surroundin medium, a said. vessel controlling said.

tions in said fluid and causing said valve mechanism to assume its position of safety upon equalization of the internal-- and external pressures on said vessel.

ova ve port in response to temperature variam 5; In a device for controlling the. flow of a medium througha conduit, a valve mechan1sm comprising a valve port controll ng said conduit, one posltion of said valve mechanism being a position of safety, a thermostatic vessel ope'ratively related to said valve 30 i mechanism and comprising a movable wall displaceable against an elastic force inherent in said vessel, and a thermosensitive fluid sealed in said vessel under a pressure below the external pressure thereon, said movable g wall controlling said valve port in response .to temperature changes in said fluid and said valve mechanism assuming its position of safety upon equalization of the internal and external pressures on said movable wall.

6. In a device for controlling the flow of -a medium through a conduit, a valvemechanism comprising a valve port controlling sald conduit, one position of said valve mechanism being a position of safety a n thermostatic vessel operatively related\to said valve mechanism and having a wall deformable against an. elastic force inherent insa'id vessel, and a thermosensitive fluid sealed in said vessel under a pressure below the external pressure thereonpsaid vessel controlling said valve port inresponse to temperature variations in --said fluid and causing said valve mechanism to assumeits' internal and vessel. I v 7. In a device for controlling the flow of a'medium through a conduit, a valve mechtherlnostatic vessel operatively related to said valve meclij ism and subjected to the through said conduit, said vessel having a wall deformable against an elastic force, and

a thernrosensitive fluid sealedin said vvessel widera rr fij lr b w h fissure barren ,sa11%i@v s 1; e p m Seld- WM ortin re ponseptotemperaturevaria io s in 'said, andi'ca'using said valve mecha msm" to assume .its positiom of safety upon 8. In a device for-'jcoiitrol1ing said cond l r he' l sed position of. sai

valve mechanism being a position of safety, 13o

pal and' external: 7, 1 v i the flow of a medium through-a jconduit a valve 'inechanism comprising ajvalve port oontrollin position of safety upon equalization of the 5 external pressures on said ,-an is'mncoinprising a valveport controlling 0 said conduit, one;posit1 on of saidvalve mechan sm being a position ,of safety, a

of" the medium flowing 11s said conduit, the closed position of .sai

a thermostatic vessel operatively related to said valve mechanism and having a Wall deformable against an elastic force inherent in said vessel, and a thermosensitive fluid sealed insaid vessel under a pressure below the external pressure thereon, said vessel proportionately opening and closing said.

' valve port, in response respectively to temperaturedecreases and increases in said fluid and closing said port upon equalization of theinternal and external pressures on said vessel. 1 n

9. In a device for controlling the flow of a medium through -a conduit, a valvemecha nism comprising a valve portv controlling -said' conduit, one position of said valve -mech anism"being. a'position of safety, a

thermostatic vessel operatively related to said valve mechanism and having a Wall de-- formable against anelastic force inherent in said vessel, and a thermosensitive fluid sealed in .said vessel, said fluid exerting an internal pressure on said vessel less than the external pressure thereon substantially throughout. the operative range of movement of said valve mechanism, and said vessel: controlling said valve port in re sponse to temperature variations: in said -fluld and causing sa1d valve mechanlsm to assumeits position of safety upon equalization of the internal and external pressures, on'. said vessel. q 10'. In a device for controlling the flowof a medium through a conduit, a valve mechanism comprising a valve port controlling .valve mechanism being a position of safety,-

"a thermostatic vessel operatively related to on said vessel.

vessel proportionately opemngand closing said valve port 1n response respectively to temperature decreases and increases in, said fluid and'closingfsaid portupon equalization of the internal and external pressures 11; In a device for controlling the floyv'of a medium through a conduit, a valve mechanism comprising a valve portcontrolling said conduit, one" pos'ition. of said valve mechanism being a position of safety, a thermostatic vessel operatively related :to said r valve mechanism and subjected to the heating'influence of the medium'flovving through sa1d conduit, saidvessel having a wall dei formable against an-elastic force inherent vessel.

mechanism thermostatic vessel operatively related to causing said valve-mechanism to assume its position ofsafety upon equalization of the internal and external pressures on said 12. In a device for controlling the flow of a medium through a conduit, a valve mecha- 7 nism comprism a valve port controlling said conduit, the closed position of, said valve mechanism being a position of safety, a thermostatic vessel operatively related to said valve mechanism and having a Wall. deformable against an elastic force inherent in said vessel, and a thermosensitive fluid sealed in said vessel, said fluid exerting an internal pressure on said vessel less than the external pressure thereon substantially throughout the operative range of movement of said valve mechanism, and said vessel roportionately opening andclosing said va ve port in response respectively to temperature decreases and increases in said fluid and closingsaid port upon equalization of the internal and external pressures on said vessel.

'13. In a device forcontrolling the flow of a medium through a conduit, a valve mechanism .comprising a valve port controlling said conduit, the closed position of said valve mechanism being a position of safety, a thermostatic, vessel operatively related to said valve mechanism alnd subjected to the heatin influence of the "medium flowing throug said conduit, saidvessel having a wall deformable against an elastic-force in herentin said vessel, and a thermosensitive fluid sealed in said-vessel, said fluid exerting. an internal pressure on said vessel less than the external pressure, thereon substantially throughout the operative range of movement of said valve mechanism, and said vessel proportionately opening and closing liq said valve port in response respectively to tel'iierature'decreases and increases in said fl and' closing said ort upon equalization-of the internal an external pressures 'on said vessel.--

.14. In a device for controlling the flow of a medium through a conduit, a valve mecha-- nism comprisinga valve port controlling said conduit, one position of said valve being a position of safety, a

said valve mechanism and comsrisgg in the walls thereof a die hragm a ap to be flexed against an e 'stic force inherent in said vessel, and a thermosensitive fluid sealed m saidlves'sel, and a thermosensitive fluid 'exte'rl'ml -pressure thereon; said vessel consealed in said vesseL-saidfluid exerting an 1 internahpressureon said -vessel lessthetn' the external pressure -thereon substantially trolling said valve; port in response totemperature-variation in fluid and causing insaid vessel under a pressure-below the said 'vaIve mechanism. to assume its safety ito matinee position upon equalization of the internal and external pressures on said diaphragm.

15. Ina device for controlling the flow of a'heating medium through a conduit, a ,valve port, a thermostaticvessel comprising 1n the walls thereof a diaphragm adapted to be flexed against an elastic force inherent in saidvessel andcoacting with said port to control the. flow of medium therethrough, the closing of said port presenting a condition of safety, and a thermosensitive jfluid sealed in said vessel under a pressure below the external pressure 'thereon,- said diaphragm controlling the flow of heating medium through said conduit in response to temperature variations in said fluid and closing said'port upon equalization of the internal and externalpressures thereon.

16. In a device'for controlling the flow of a medium through a conduit, a valve mechanism comprising a valve port -controlling said conduit, one position of said valve mechanism being a position of safety, a thermostatic vessel comprising a receptacle subjected to, the heating influence of said medium and operatively related to said valve mechanism, a wall of said vessel being-deformable against an elastic force in herent 1n sald vessel, and a thermosensitive a heating niediumthrough a conduit, a valve ternal mechanism comprising a valve port controlling said conduit, one position of said valve mechanism, being a positionof safety, a thermostatic vessel comprising a rece tacle subjected to the heating influence 0 said medium and a container in communication with said-receptaclehaving a wall deformable against an elastic force inherent in said vessel, and a thermosensitive fluid sealed in said vessel under a pressure below the external pressure thereon, said vessel controlling said valve port in response to tempera ture variations in said fluid and causing said valve mechanism to assume its safety position upon equalization of the internal andexternal pressures on said vessell 1 18. In a device for controlling a medium through a conduit, a valve mechathe aw or" nism comprisinga valve portcontrolling said* conduit, one position of said valvemechanismbeing a position of safety, a thermostatic vessel operatively related to movable wall displaceable against an elastic force, and a thermosensitive fluid sealed in said vessel under a pressure below the exressure thereon, said movable wall control ing said valve port in response to temperature changes in said fluid and said valve mechanism assuming its position of safety upon equalization of the internal and external pressures on said movable wall.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

Nolan s. mama}.

In the resenee of J. Dmrmnm, FRANK P TYLER.

said valve mechanism and comprising 'a 

